Current & Critical - Lauren Dwyer, Understanding Human-Centred Technologies (and how they will impact us all)

In this episode, learn how Lauren pivoted her career goals from becoming a therapist to working with robots, thanks to a fateful conversation with a professor during her Master’s studies. Now, Lauren is the Academic Chair for Data Analytics and Artificial Intelligence at the School for Advanced Digital Technology at SAIT. She articulates the requirement to get students familiar with tech to ensure they are career-ready and dives deep into the impact of AI on society and people. This episode will get you informed about the intersection of communication, culture, technology and practice, and what the future of technology interactions could look like.

You don’t need to be an engineer or programmer to contribute to the future of technology, and Lauren proves that. Her background in communications brings a unique perspective to AI, including how it affects humans, the problem of bias, and the possibility of widening socio-economic gaps due to uneven access to high-speed internet and technology, even here in Canada. Lauren explores the need for a balanced approach that considers every angle and shares her thoughts on how we can embrace the opportunities of AI and automation without losing our humanity in the process.